Kerala High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Actor Siddique in Rape Case

Kerala High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Actor Siddique in Rape Case

In a major development, the Kerala High Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by Malayalam actor Siddique, who was booked for rape following the release of the Justice K. Hema Committee Report. The order was pronounced by Justice C.S. Dias on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.The complainant, an actress, alleges that Siddique called her to the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016 under the pretext of discussing a film. She claims he then raped and assaulted her there. The complaint was made to the Special Investigation Team constituted to probe incidents of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.

Actor’s Plea Rejected

In his petition seeking anticipatory bail, Siddique claimed that the complainant, who is an ardent supporter and member of the Women’s Cinema Collective (WCC), is making these allegations because he conducted a press meet along with other office bearers of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA) after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report.The actor also pointed out that the same complainant had raised some allegations against him in 2019, but she changed the details now with the intention of getting him booked under non-bailable offences.However, the High Court dismissed his plea, denying him anticipatory bail. Senior Counsel B. Raman Pillai appeared for the actor, while the State argued that even though there may be some minor variations in the statements, the complainant had named Siddique publicly for misbehaving with her since 2019.

Implications of the Justice Hema Committee Report

This case comes in the wake of the Justice K. Hema Committee Report, which revealed large-scale sexual abuse, ‘casting couch’ practices, and entrenched gender discrimination in the Malayalam film industry. The publication of the redacted report has led to a wave of sexual abuse allegations against several actors, directors and other film personalities.The investigation into this case is being handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the sexual abuse cases emerging after the publication of the Justice Hema Committee report.

Conclusion

The Kerala High Court’s decision to deny anticipatory bail to actor Siddique in the rape case is a significant development that underscores the gravity of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation. As the case proceeds, it will be crucial for the authorities to ensure a fair and impartial probe, while also providing support and protection to the complainant.This incident serves as a wake-up call for the Malayalam film industry to address the systemic issues of sexual harassment and gender discrimination highlighted by the Justice Hema Committee Report. It is time for meaningful reforms and a change in the industry’s culture to ensure the safety and well-being of all its members, especially women.